Behavior of Enteroaggregative Escherichia coli in Bottled Spring and Mineral Water†

Abstract

The ability of enteroaggregative Escherichia coli (EAEC) to survive in bottled mineral and spring water at common storage temperatures was investigated. Filtered mineral and spring waters were inoculated with EAEC (ca. 104 CFU/ml) and stored at 4, 10, and 23°C. Water samples were analyzed every 3 days for viable EAEC by plating on tryptic soy agar plates over 60 days of storage. EAEC survived for the duration of the study in both mineral and spring waters. EAEC survival levels were significantly higher (P < 0.01) at 23 and 10°C than at 4°C. Furthermore, EAEC survival levels were significantly higher (P < 0.01) in mineral water than in spring water at 4 and 10°C. The results of this study indicate that EAEC can survive in bottled mineral and spring waters for long periods of storage at 4, 10, and 23°C. The ability of EAEC to survive in bottled water indicates that the source water for bottling industries must be kept free of contamination. Furthermore, the refrigeration of bottled water is recommended to minimize the growth of EAEC in water.